Deadweight cow prices up again, but growth slows
In the week ending 16th April, the average all-prime deadweight cattle price rose by another 4p to average 436.3p/kg. This meant the measure stood 33p above the price recorded in the same week a year ago, and up 80p on the five-year average.
All GB average reporting categories experienced price growth, with the overall steer, heifer and young bull measures up by 4.1p, 4.3p and 2.3p on the week, respectively.
Slaughter of prime cattle in GB abattoirs was estimated to be 29,100 head during the week, down 10% from the previous week, and down 8% year-on-year. The week ending 16th April included Good Friday and is compared to normal kill weeks in both the previous week and year, explaining some of the decline.
In the year-to-date, an estimated 479,000 prime cattle have come forward, down 7% year-on-year.
During the same week, the overall average GB deadweight cow price gained 2p to average 353.7p/kg. This was the smallest weekly rise since mid-January 2022. The measure is still up 77p from the same week a year ago however.
An estimated 8,200 cows were processed in GB during the week, down 11% versus the previous week, and down 12% year-on-year. Again, the shorter week will explain some of this decline. In the year-to-date, an estimated 158,000 cows have been processed, down 1% year-on-year.
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